A5047619135- Lysosomal Storage Disorders Research
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Calcium signaling and nucleotide metabolism
- Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
- Cervical Cancer and HPV Research
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Neutrophil, Myeloperoxidase and Oxidative Mechanisms
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Adenosine and Purinergic Signaling
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- S100 Proteins and Annexins
- Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
- Chemokine receptors and signaling
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Alkaloids: synthesis and pharmacology
- Plant-based Medicinal Research
- Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
- Syphilis Diagnosis and Treatment
- Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Sex work and related issues
- Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Issues
- Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disorders Research
- Reproductive Health and Technologies
University of New Mexico
2016-2025
University of California, Los Angeles
2024
American College of Physicians
2022
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
2022
Core Laboratories (United States)
2022
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
2015-2019
National Institutes of Health
2015-2019
Fred Hutch Cancer Center
2019
Center for Global Health
2016-2017
Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED) is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder typically caused by homozygous
Candida is the most common human fungal pathogen and causes systemic infections that require neutrophils for effective host defense. Humans deficient in C-type lectin pathway adaptor protein CARD9 develop spontaneous disease targets central nervous system (CNS). However, how promotes protective antifungal immunity CNS remains unclear. Here, we show a patient with deficiency had impaired neutrophil accumulation induction of neutrophil-recruiting CXC chemokines cerebrospinal fluid despite...
Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis is a life-threatening mycosis that only affects patients with immunosuppression, chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, transplantation, or congenital immunodeficiency. We studied the clinical, genetic, histological, and immunological features of 2 unrelated without known immunodeficiency who developed extrapulmonary invasive at ages 8 18. One patient died age 12 progressive intra-abdominal aspergillosis. The other had presented candidiasis 9, central nervous...
CXCR1 as a mediator of neutrophil fungal killing and host defense against systemic infection in mice humans.
Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) is a neurodegenerative disorder with limited treatment options. NPC1 associated neuroinflammation; however, attempts to therapeutically target neuroinflammation in have had mixed success. We show here that characterized by an atypical microglia activation phenotype. Specifically, Npc1-/- demonstrated altered morphology, reduced levels of lineage markers and shift toward glycolytic metabolism. Treatment 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD), drug...
Evident in its name, the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori has a helical cell morphology which facilitates efficient colonization of human stomach. An improved light-focusing strategy allowed us to robustly distinguish even subtle perturbations H. by deviations light-scattering properties measured flow cytometry. Profiling an arrayed genome-wide deletion library identified 28 genes that influence different aspects shape, including helix, length or width, filament formation, shape...
Background/Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is a common pathogen causing urogenital, anal, oral, and ocular infections. Although extensive vaccine efforts have been underway for decades, there no licensed available to prevent human Ct infection. Polymorphic membrane protein D (PmpD) highly conserved present on the surface of elementary bodies, suggesting an important role biology. Repetitive tetrapeptide motifs GGA(I,L,V) FxxN are across Pmps adhesion in related pneumoniae Pmp21....
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted pathogen, yet a vaccine not currently available. Here, we used immunogenic bacteriophage MS2 virus-like particle (VLP) technology to engineer vaccines against Ct major outer membrane protein variable domain 4 (MOMP-VD4), which contains conserved neutralizing epitope (TTLNPTIAG). A previously described monoclonal antibody MOMP-VD4 (E4 mAb) capable of all urogenital serovars and binds this core epitope, as well several...
Several reports have demonstrated that mouse Cx3cr1 signaling promotes monocyte/macrophage survival. In agreement, we previously found that, in a model of systemic candidiasis, genetic deficiency resulted increased mortality and impaired tissue fungal clearance associated with decreased macrophage We translated this finding by showing the dysfunctional CX3CR1 variant CX3CR1-M280 was risk worse outcome human candidiasis. However, impact mutation on survival is poorly understood. Herein,...
Lysosomal storage diseases (LSD) are a large family of inherited disorders characterized by abnormal endolysosomal accumulation cellular material due to catabolic enzyme and transporter deficiencies. Depending on the affected metabolic pathway, LSD manifest with somatic or central nervous system (CNS) signs symptoms. Neuroinflammation is hallmark feature CNS involvement such as mucolipidosis type IV, but not others like Fabry disease.We investigated properties microglia from without major in...
Chlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium. C. infection the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted and can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease infertility in women. There no licensed vaccine for prevention, part due gaps our knowledge of trachomatis-specific immune responses elicited during human infections. Previous investigations antibody response have identified immunodominant antigens antibodies that neutralize cell culture. However, epitope-specific are not...
An effective vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis is urgently needed as infection rates continue to rise and C. causes reproductive morbidity. obligate intracellular pathogen, employs a type 3 secretion system (T3SS) for host cell entry. The tip of the injectosome composed protein CT584, which represents potential target neutralization with vaccine-induced antibody. Here, we investigate immunogenicity efficacy made CT584 epitopes coupled bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP), novel...
Filoviruses are highly virulent pathogens capable of causing severe disease. The glycoproteins filoviruses the only virally expressed proteins on virion surface and required for receptor binding. As such, they main candidate vaccine antigen. Despite their virulence, most not comprehensively characterized, relatively few commercially produced reagents available study. Here, we describe two methods production purification filovirus in insect mammalian cell lines. Considerations expression...
Sexual Enrichment Aids (SEAs), or "sex toys" like dildos vibrators, are used to enrich sexual experiences, either alone with partners. Although SEA use has become increasingly prevalent in recent decades, there remain significant gaps knowledge regarding behaviors and hygiene surrounding their use. In this study, we mixed methods approaches (cross-sectional survey of n = 800 women qualitative semi-structured interviews 24 women) better understand behavior, potential risks, practices who...
OBJECTIVE: To investigate women's preferences and experiences regarding health counseling of safe sexual enrichment aid use hygiene current behaviors medical practitioners on this topic. METHODS: This study used mixed methodology, leveraging quantitative data from a cross-sectional survey 800 women semi-structured qualitative interview 24 across practice groups. Additionally, we conducted 192 to understand attitudes. RESULTS: The majority (96.2%, 607/631) had never been counseled by...